Edo State Governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, has accused the impeached Local Government Council chairmen in the State of mismanaging a staggering N83 billion from the Federal government’s allocation to the Councils within just 12 months.
This revelation comes amidst ongoing tension between the Governor and the former Council heads, following their impeachment after he assumed office in November 2024.
The Governor made this statement when he hosted the acting Chairman, Councillors, and leaders from the Akoko Edo Local Government Area at the Government House in Benin city.
Governor Monday Okpebholo during the meeting reiterated his earlier accusations where he claimed that the now-removed council chairmen had collectively been diverting N800 million each month from their Federal allocations to a politician in the State, depriving the grassroots of essential services.
In his latest revelation, Okpebholo disclosed that the impeached LGA Council leaders misused a total of N83 billion in Federal allocations meant for the local councils.
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According to information from the State’s Accountant General, the 18 Local Government Councils were receiving over N6.5 billion in monthly Federal allocations from January to September 2024. From October to December of the same year, the Councils collectively received more than N8 billion per month from the Federation Account.
Governor Okpebholo praised President Bola Tinubu for increasing the allocations to Local councils in the country, aimed to foster development at the grassroots.
The Edo State Governor however expressed regret that those entrusted with managing these funds have instead squandered them, neglecting the welfare of the people they were meant to serve.
The acting Chairman of Akoko-Edo Local Government Area, Alabi Bliss Oshionogue, expressed gratitude to Governor Okpebholo for his commitment to ensuring that the people at the grassroots benefit from the dividends of democracy and good governance.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)
